Air India and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have significantly expanded their codeshare agreement to enhance connectivity and convenience for travellers. Starting October 27, 2024, this expanded partnership brings an additional 51 codeshare destinations, including 11 cities within India and 40 international locations across Asia, Europe, and Australasia. The partnership reflects both airlines’ commitment to providing their customers with greater flexibility and extensive travel options. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the expanded codeshare, the benefits it brings, and the enhanced travel experience it offers.
A codeshare agreement is a strategic partnership where one airline offers seats on flights operated by another airline. For passengers, this means booking flights through a single airline while seamlessly connecting to destinations operated by a partner carrier. Codeshares benefit travellers by offering more travel routes, convenient connections, and a unified booking process across multiple regions.
Expanded Connectivity Between Singapore and India
As of late October 2024, Air India and Singapore Airlines have introduced codeshare services that significantly boost connectivity between Singapore and India. This development brings the number of scheduled codeshare flights per week between Singapore and India up to 56 from 14, underscoring the carriers’ shared goal of meeting growing demand.
Singapore Airlines will add its flight code to Air India’s domestic flights, enhancing connections between Delhi and various Indian cities, such as:
- Amritsar
- Bengaluru
- Coimbatore
- Lucknow
- Varanasi
Additionally, routes connecting Mumbai to cities including Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Thiruvananthapuram will be available to SIA passengers, providing them with an easier way to explore India’s diverse regions. Meanwhile, Air India customers will have access to an expanded selection of destinations across SIA’s regional network, including popular cities in Australia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Vietnam.
The codeshare destinations Air India and Singapore Airlines have added through this partnership are expansive. Here’s a detailed look at what each airline is bringing to the table:
Destinations for Air India Customers via Singapore Airlines’ Network
For Air India travellers, the expanded codeshare partnership unlocks access to 29 new destinations through Singapore Airlines. These include:
- Australia: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
- Brunei: Bandar Seri Begawan
- Cambodia: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap
- Indonesia: Denpasar, Jakarta, Medan, Surabaya
- Japan: Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo (Haneda and Narita)
- South Korea: Busan, Seoul
- Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur, Penang
- New Zealand: Auckland
- The Philippines: Cebu, Manila
- Vietnam: Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City
These destinations cover a wide range of cultures, landscapes, and business hubs, making it easier for Air India customers to travel across Southeast Asia and Australasia seamlessly.
Destinations for Singapore Airlines Customers via Air India’s Network
For SIA travellers, the codeshare opens up access to Air India’s network across 12 key international destinations. These destinations include:
- Europe: Copenhagen (Denmark), Paris (France), Frankfurt (Germany), Milan (Italy), Amsterdam (the Netherlands)
- Middle East: Jeddah, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)
- Africa: Nairobi (Kenya)
- United Kingdom: Birmingham, London-Gatwick, London-Heathrow
- South Asia: Colombo (Sri Lanka)
These cities allow SIA passengers to enjoy convenient connections to major destinations beyond Asia and establish a connection with destinations that are gaining interest in both leisure and business travel.
Benefits for Frequent Flyers and Loyal Customers
Through this codeshare agreement, frequent flyer program (FFP) members from both Air India and Singapore Airlines can earn and redeem points across the expanded network. This benefits FFP members, offering them an easy way to access a larger array of destinations and earn points through travel on both airlines.
Mr Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “This is a continuation of our effort to offer our guests more choice and an extended global network. Air India and Singapore Airlines have been longtime partners, and with this expanded scope of our codeshare agreement, we are excited to offer our guests greater connectivity to destinations across Southeast Asia, the Far East, and Australasia. We also look forward to welcoming Singapore Airlines customers on board our flights within India as well as westward to multiple points across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East via our hubs in India.”
Mr Lee Lik Hsin, Chief Commercial Officer, of Singapore Airlines, said: “This expansion of Singapore Airlines’ codeshare arrangements with Air India reflects the strong collaborative spirit between our two carriers. It demonstrates our commitment to meeting the high demand for air travel between India and Singapore and beyond, and contributing to the growth of both aviation markets. Adding Air India’s domestic network to our codeshare arrangements will also offer our customers enhanced connectivity and convenience in India, which is a key market for the SIA Group.”
Progressive Rollout and Booking Availability
The expanded codeshare flights will be rolled out progressively, with new routes becoming available over time. Passengers can book the new codeshare flights through Air India’s and Singapore Airlines’ official channels, providing a streamlined booking experience. Both airlines are awaiting regulatory approvals to ensure smooth operation and adherence to international aviation standards.
Impact on the Indian Aviation Market
India’s aviation market has grown rapidly in recent years, with a burgeoning demand for both domestic and international travel. This expanded codeshare agreement aligns with India’s growth as a major travel hub. For Air India, this is a step toward re-establishing itself as a competitive player in the aviation sector, capitalizing on the country’s growing demand for both business and leisure travel.
In conclusion, the codeshare expansion between Air India and Singapore Airlines opens up new possibilities for travellers, providing improved connectivity, flexibility, and convenience across Asia, Europe, Australasia, and beyond. This partnership not only strengthens the bond between the two airlines but also sets a new standard for cooperation and customer service in the aviation industry.
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